The Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to move veteran left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney from the starting rotation to the bullpen. This change comes in mid-August after Heaney logged 119 innings in the 2024 season, just one inning short of securing a $50,000 bonus. The move means Heaney will likely miss out on additional incentives tied to reaching higher innings pitched milestones.
Despite the timing, Pirates management and analysts caution against comparing Heaney’s reassignment to the more drastic roster decision involving Rowdy Tellez earlier this season, as the situations differ significantly.
Heaney’s Early Season Promise Fades Amid Declining Metrics
At the end of May, Heaney’s performance showed potential. He held a 3.41 ERA, a 4.50 FIP, and a 1.22 WHIP over 60 2/3 innings. Though his strikeout rate was a modest 17.4% and walks came at a 9.4% clip, Heaney managed a relatively low 1.01 home runs allowed per nine innings. Additionally, his early season statistics indicated some control despite less impressive strikeout numbers.
However, starting in June, Heaney’s numbers deteriorated sharply. Over his last 58 1/3 innings, he posted a 6.63 ERA and 6.59 FIP with a 1.42 WHIP. While he managed to reduce his walk rate to 5.4%, other issues intensified. His strikeout rate declined further to 15%, home runs allowed jumped to 2.62 per nine innings, and hitters were making hard contact with an average exit velocity of 91 mph and an 11.9% barrel rate against him.
Statistical Analysis Highlights Systemic Struggles
Since June, among the 109 pitchers who have pitched at least 50 innings, Heaney ranks near the bottom in several key statistics. He holds the fourth-worst ERA, second-worst FIP, and the highest home runs allowed rate. His exit velocity and barrel rate rankings also indicate significant vulnerability, while advanced metrics like xFIP and SIERA place him in the bottom ten. His overall value reflected by a negative 0.5 fWAR confirms a prolonged slump rather than mere bad luck.
Contrasting Heaney’s Situation With Rowdy Tellez’s Release
The Pirates’ decision to shift Heaney to the bullpen is fundamentally different from their choice to release Rowdy Tellez last month. While Tellez struggled overall in 2024 with a 90 wRC+, .691 OPS, .301 wOBA, and -0.4 fWAR, he performed reasonably well during the summer months, posting strong offensive numbers including a 139 wRC+ from June to August.
Tellez was released on September 24, just shy of earning a $200,000 bonus and with only a few games remaining in the season. By contrast, Heaney’s move to the bullpen is intended as a strategic adjustment rather than a cut. He is just one inning away from his first bonus and remains on track to potentially earn further incentives tied to his innings totals.
The Pirates’ approach reflects their recognition of Heaney’s current struggles while still maintaining commitment to him as a valuable bullpen asset, unlike the finality of Tellez’s release.
Financial and Performance Considerations Behind the Move
Although the Pirates are known for economical roster decisions, this bullpen shift is consistent with how many teams would handle a starting pitcher struggling as much as Heaney has. Heaney himself has acknowledged that his recent performances don’t justify his spot in the rotation, which has been one of the worst in the league over the past two and a half months.
The Pirates have viable options for replacing Heaney with younger arms, some of whom might post better results even with higher ERAs. Keeping a struggling starter solely to safeguard salary bonuses is not a practical strategy, especially when better team performance and player development are at stake.
Responsibility Now Lies With Heaney to Regain Form
Ultimately, the impetus is on Andrew Heaney to improve his pitching to justify innings and earn the associated bonuses, rather than on the Pirates to continue starting a faltering pitcher. The bullpen role offers a fresh opportunity for Heaney to stabilize his contributions and potentially work his way back into rotation consideration.
“He has been a bottom-10 pitcher in the league for the better part of 2.5 months now.” —Anonymous Source
“At this point, it is on Heaney to pitch better and earn the bonuses, not the Pirates’ responsibility to keep starting a struggling pitcher and having to pay him more.” —Anonymous Source